Play & Language: The Roots of Literacy (WESTBY HS 063325)

Course overview

Language, cognitive and social-emotional learning skills are all essential for literacy development and academic success. Research shows that play is the universal activity that blends cognitive, social, emotional, linguistic and motor components. Observing childrens play provides information about their knowledge, views of the world and mastered skills. In this recording, Dr. Westby teaches you about the vital relationship between the dimensions of play, social-emotional functioning, language and literacy. Learn firsthand, how to effectively use the Westby Play Scale - a tool that offers a way to evaluate all young childrens (birth-5 years) symbolic play skills. Supported by 40 years of evidencebased research and organized by developmental level, this tool will breakdown the milestones children should be achieving with their play and language. You will also learn play practices and play strategies to improve language, cognitive and social-emotional skills, including: -Higher-level thinking, problem-solving and creativity -Advancing language skills and text comprehension -Awareness of temporal, cause-effect and social relationships -Motivation, self-regulation and empathy -Interpreting and responding appropriately to the needs, desires, and roles of others These intervention activities will work for all young children, but special focus will be given to interventions for children with language learning disabilities, autism, socio-economic/cultural variations and ESL.